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Only items marked with (*) are averaged
into the displayed overall rating.

General Rating Criteria

*Temperament

(1=Awful,10=Excellent)

*Scholarship

(1=Awful,10=Excellent)

*Industriousness

(1=Not at all industrious,10=Highly industrious)

*Ability to Handle Complex Litigation

(1=Awful,10=Excellent)

*Punctuality

(1=Chronically Late,10=Always on Time)

*General Ability to Handle Pre-Trial Matters

(1=Not all Able, 10=Extremely Able)

*General Ability as a Trial Judge

(1=Not all Able, 10=Extremely Able)

Flexibility In Scheduling

(1=Completely Inflexible,10=Very Flexible)

Criminal Rating Criteria (if applicable)

*Evenhandedness in Criminal Litigation

(1=Demonstrates Bias,10=Entirely Evenhanded)

General Inclination Regarding Bail

(1=Pro-Defense,10=Pro-Government)

Involvement in Plea Discussions

(1=Not at all Involved, 10=Very Involved)

General Inclination in Criminal Cases Pretrial Stage

(1=Pro-prosecution,10=Pro-defense)

General Inclination in Criminal Cases Trial Stage

(1=Pro-prosecution,10=Pro-defense)

General Inclination in Criminal Cases Sentencing Stage

(1=Pro-prosecution,10=Pro-defense)

Civil Rating Criteria (if applicable)

*Evenhandedness in Civil Litigation

(1=Not at all Evenhanded,10=Entirely Evenhanded)

Involvement in Settlement Discussions

(1=Not at all Involved,10=Very Involved)

General Inclination

(1=Pro-defendant, 10=Pro-plaintiff)

Comments

What others have said about
Hon. Margaret Miller Bernal

Comments

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: CA10978
Rating:1.8
Comments:
On top of her lack of understanding of the law and its need for even handed application, she is slow in making decisions, taking most law and motion matters under submission. This lady should not be on the bench.

Civil Litigation - Private

Criminal Defense Lawyer

Comment #: CA4462
Rating:2.6
Comments:
Her knowledge in civil litigation is minimal at best. She should go back to law school and do some refresher courses. Absolutely the worst of the worst in Los Angeles.

Criminal Defense Lawyer

Comment #: CA218
Rating:8.0
Comments:
She has the best judicial temperament I've ever seen. She is totally without ego; she believes in letting the lawyers handle their cases, and only steps in when needed. She is very solicitous of defendants, and treats them with respect and dignity. She is independent in terms of sentencing, and has no problem undercutting the prosecution. In terms of judicial rulings, however, she tends to be somewhat more conservative.